Aperture - Converting Managed Library to Referenced Library?

I goofed. I've been using Aperture for a while, and I now realize that by importing my image files directly into my Aperture library on my 1TB iMac hard drive, this managed library is now 430GB... I need to streamline. I understand (now) the benefit of using reference libraries wherein the image files themselves are stored elsewhere (I have a 3TB external USB drive) and the Aperture library accesses/utilizes the files from that location. The big question - how do I convert my current managed library to that referenced library model? If I copy my entire 430GB Aperture library folder from the iMac hard drive 'Pictures' folder over to the 3TB external drive, it's still a managed library in that new external drive location but now with USB access times added to the Aperture work flow... correct?
I'm assuming I need to somehow 'export' my image files to the 3TB external drive, and then tell Aperture to build a reference library off of those image files - correct? If so, is there an specific way to do this? Also, if I create a referenced library as described above, I assume that in the future I will need to import image files from my camera to the 3TB external drive outside of Aperture, and then use Aperture to import them from that 3TB drive into the Aperture reference library via Aperture 'Import'... correct?
Thanks in advance for any insight here.

It's all a lot easier than you expect.
Libraries are neither managed nor referenced, they are just libraries. It's the images within the libraries that can be either managed (stored with the library) or referenced (stored external to it). So within a single library you can have a combination of both (if you have a reason to).
But the simple answer to your question is, select all your photos, and from the file menu choose "Relocate Originals". It will prompt you for where to store them. Create a folder on your external (eg "Masters" or "Originals") and chose a folder structure to store them in (I use the project name for subfolders - but more complex options can be created using 'edit'). Press relocate button and go have a well earned beer while it relocates them for you.
Andy

Similar Messages

  • IPhoto Managed Library and Referenced Library. What is the difference?

    In a reply regarding iphoto TD mentions managed library and referenced library. What is the difference and how do you set them up?

    A Managed Library is the default setting, photos are copied into the iPhoto Library on import. In this scenario, iPhoto is responsible for the file management.
    A Referenced Library means that iPhoto does not touch the files when you import them. They remain where they were and iPhoto References them in their location.
    Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
    Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
    However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
    1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
    2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
    3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
    Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
    If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    If you're concerned about accessing the files, There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
    *For Users of 10.5 and later*
    You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
    Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
    You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
    Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
    *For users of 10.4 and later* ...
    Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
    To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
    This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
    If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
    If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
    *If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
    For users of 10.6 and later:
    You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
    For Users of 10.4 and later:
    Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
    Other options include:
    1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
    2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
    3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
    *For working with an External Editor*
    You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
    Lots of folks are attracted to the idea of a Referenced Library - well I can see my files! But, frankly, unless you're an experienced Mac user I would stay well away. Not infrequently we see folks here complaining that iPhoto has "lost their photos" when what has happened is that they have imported from the Camera Card in Referenced Mode, then erased the card. Even more common, any change in the path the the file - renaming a disk, folder or file - for instance when migrating to a new machine, when trying to make space on the start up disk by moving files off the an external - also causes big problems.
    If you really, really want to run a Referenced Library check out Aperture. It has tools that are much stonger in the area - like migrating tools and reconnecting tools.
    Regards
    TD

  • Aperture: Migration to new Mac (Referenced Library)

    Apologies if this has been covered before but I've used numerous searches and don't seem to be hitting the right combination of terms to bring up what I want.
    I currently have a flagging 2007 MacBook (OS 10.6.8; 2.16 GHz, 2MB RAM and only 7GB free of the 160 GB HDD). Aperture is struggling.  Time to upgrade.
    My Aperture Library is currently on the Mac and is 'Managed'.  I have contemplated moving the 50GB or so of Aperture Library to an external HDD and going 'Referenced', mainly because I still have some images I need to work on (even though Aperture is for obvious reasons ponderously slow with frequent SBOD on this machine) until I decide what to upgrade to (Macbook 15" or iMac with more bangs for the buck) and wait for the latest refresh of the line that I choose.
    Upon getting the new machine I plan to use the Migration Assistant to help with app/doc/settings transfer but what about Aperture?  I am not sure if it's best to:
    1) Get the new Mac now, migrate everything across (including Aperture and its Managed library) THEN move the Aperture library off the internal HDD to an external and going Referenced, or;
    2) Go Referenced now.  In which case when I eventually do then migrate Aperture to the new machine will it automatically 'point' to the correct location of the external HDD referenced library when what is left of Aperture copies across or is there and easier (or indeed more convoluted) process I will have to go through if I switch to Rferenced before getting the new Mac and migrating? 
    Accept of course with the new Mac the HDD will be so much bigger so there may actually be no need to go Referenced, at least yet.  Try as I might, save for HDD space I don't see that many benefits to Referenced
    On the new Mac front, while I like laptops, I find that the iPad and this Mac do most of what I want (e.g. surfing, mailing and running the odd few apps).  While a new MBP would be appreciated part of me still thinks that the more bang for the buck iMac is the better investment.  The only thing I MAY need to do is upload the occasional photo shoot on the move (by creating a new project) which, if stripped back to basics, this Mac miight still be OK for until I get back home and move the project to the iMac, reloacting to the masters to the referenced external HDD after.
    Any help appreciated.

    Hi,
    some consederations you may want to keep in mind. There is no definitive answer for the perfect library setup - it will depend on the size of your Aperture Library,  the amount of available disk space, on your workflow, and on your backup strategy.
    I currently have a flagging 2007 MacBook (OS 10.6.8; 2.16 GHz, 2MB RAM and only 7GB free of the 160 GB HDD). Aperture is struggling.  Time to upgrade.
    On that machine you really need to relocate your master image files to an external drive or free disk space in a different way. With only for 4% of empty space on the system drive, even a newer Mac will be very slow. Try to keep 20% to 30% of your system volume free.
    My Aperture Library is currently on the Mac and is 'Managed'.  I have contemplated moving the 50GB or so of Aperture Library to an external HDD and going 'Referenced', mainly because I still have some images I need to work on (even though Aperture is for obvious reasons ponderously slow with frequent SBOD on this machine) until I decide what to upgrade to (Macbook 15" or iMac with more bangs for the buck) and wait for the latest refresh of the line that I choose.
    For best performance the Aperture library should reside on your fastest drive, usually the System drive. If you want to go referenced, relocate the masters, but keep the library on the internal drive. Only if you have a very fast connection to your second drive, or two internal drives, it may be advantegous to move the whole library to the other volume.
    Managed, referenced, or mixed?
    Managed: A managed library is easier to handle, as long as it is reasonably small. With 50 GB Aperture Library you can continue with a managed library, as soon as you have more disk space available. The advantage of "Managed" is that you do not have to keep track of your masters on your own, and that they will be included in the vaults. You will need an incremental backup scheme that looks inside the library package however - like Time Machine, otherwise you will need to backup the whole library over and over again, even if you only changed one single image.
    Referenced: If your Library gets larger, and you have several hundreds of GB, then a managed library becomes a nuisance and it is time to go referenced. Very large libraries are difficult to move or copy  between disks; It will be wasteful to have several vaults, for each vault will include the same masters over and over again.
    Mixed: The Aperture library on the system drive, most of the masters on an external (or second internal) volume. This setup is perfect for laptops with limited space on the internal drive, but it will require that you have a well ordered strategy where to keep your masters, since Aperture will not manage them for you. There are two pitfalls to avoid: Accidentally deleting or modifying masters from the Finder, or accidentally relocating them to a place where you store other images that are not your masters. When you have several similar images in the same folder, it can be very hard to tell which image is the master that you need to keep and which is a redundant copy.
    The "mixed" setup is great, if you are on the road (bt will put mre strain on your memory or master management skills)- you still have your Aperture library with you and the master image files you are currently working on, but not the bulk of your masters. If you create high quality previews, you probably even will not notice, that most of your master image files are still at home.
    Upon getting the new machine I plan to use the Migration Assistant to help with app/doc/settings transfer but what about Aperture?  I am not sure if it's best to:
    1) Get the new Mac now, migrate everything across (including Aperture and its Managed library) THEN move the Aperture library off the internal HDD to an external and going Referenced, or;
    2) Go Referenced now.  In which case when I eventually do then migrate Aperture to the new machine will it automatically 'point' to the correct location of the external HDD referenced library when what is left of Aperture copies across or is there and easier (or indeed more convoluted) process I will have to go through if I switch to Rferenced before getting the new Mac and migrating?
    Accept of course with the new Mac the HDD will be so much bigger so there may actually be no need to go Referenced, at least yet.  Try as I might, save for HDD space I don't see that many benefits to Referenced
    From my experience, it is less troublesome to migrate a managed library with Migration Assistant. If parts of your Library are referenced, and you migrate the referenced masters as well, you may need to reconnect them, unless you only have to plug in the volume with referenced masters. Then Aperture should reference them correctly without extra trouble.
    Try as I might, save for HDD space I don't see that many benefits to Referenced
    Then stick to the managed setup until your library really becomes huge.
    On the new Mac front, while I like laptops, I find that the iPad and this Mac do most of what I want (e.g. surfing, mailing and running the odd few apps).  While a new MBP would be appreciated part of me still thinks that the more bang for the buck iMac is the better investment.  The only thing I MAY need to do is upload the occasional photo shoot on the move (by creating a new project) which, if stripped back to basics, this Mac miight still be OK for until I get back home and move the project to the iMac, reloacting to the masters to the referenced external HDD after.
    Any help appreciated.
    I am still waiting for my iPad to be delivered - right now I take a MBP on the road. For the new shoots I create a new Aperture library, do most of the tagging while I still remember how the images have been taken, and when back home I import the new project into my main library.
    Reagrds
    Léonie

  • How do you convert managed files to referenced files?

    I have exported all the files that I mistakenly saved to my aperture library.
    since I've exported them by year and month I can easily incorporate them into my referenced files on various external hard drives.
    but how do I now actually get the managed files in the aperture library out of the aperture library? (I am trying to make the aperture file smaller so that it can more easily stay on my laptop).
    and is there a way to get rid of the managed files without having to reimport all the files and reimport all the metadata …

    As I understand it:
    You had a bunch of original image files and imported them into AP using managed.
    At this point the original files are totally separate from AP, since AP has copies of the originals in its library file (a package). If you relocate, AP will not put the files back where they were, especially since you have moved some files around in the database.
    If you haven't done much editing to the masters, consider creating a new library and a new import. Otherwise, try relocating a small amount of your projects to see how AP sets up the folders on the disk.
    But AP will not automatically write the masters back to where the originals were - the relocate process involves you indicating where the files will go. As I recall, you have to choose a folder structure from several choices and these may not parallel the originals. Plus, as I said above, since you have moved files around the database, you will definitely not get the same layout as the originals.

  • Converting from Managed to Referenced Library-File Structure?

    I'm about to convert my fully managed library (170GB) in Aperture 3.6 to a referenced library.  I understand I select the files and then relocate the masters.  What's the best way to do that if I want to maintain some semblance of the Aperture files/folders structure in the Finder environment?  Wha't the best way to select all files- just go to "Photos" folder and select all?
    I understand that the file structure in Aperture should remain unchanged.  What I don't want to happen is for all my photos to just be dumped into a folder on my hard drive with no organization.  Within Aperture they are primarily stored in folders (years) containing projects (months) which have albums (various shoots in a given month).  If I select all photos in library, does Aperture recreate its internal folder, project, album structure as folders in Finder? 
    As I recall, there is an option when relocating masters to put them in various folder structures.  Is there an option to keep the internal Aperture folder structure?  I'd like to make the managed to referenced conversion in as few steps as possible and ideally maintain the same or very similar folder structure.
    Thanks, Steve

    Images are not files.
    Images are what you see in Aperture.
    Files are data containers, represented in various ways in the OS X Finder.
    Aperture is a database of Images.
    Finder is a database of files.
    Just as the structure of your Aperture Library ("Library" = database; to the detriment of their users, Apple insists on cuteness over accuracy) is for you to create to meet your needs, the structure of your Finder database is for you to create to meet your needs.  Many OS X users' file needs are similar, and so OS X comes with Finder pre-designed and populated.
    Concerning yourself about the _file_ organization of your Images' Originals is, imho, time wasted.  You didn't care about it when they were managed.  There is little reason to care about it when they are referenced.
    I detail some of this in this reply to a similar question.
    Do whatever comforts you.  But note the following:
    - You cannot (as Frank has already answered) duplicate in a file manager the structure you have in your Image manager.  The Images in Aperture are not files, and in important ways they are not filed like files.
    - Aperture provides robust tools for managing your Images' Originals.  You can move them in and out of the Library at any time, and you can relocate them to another location outside your Library at any time.
    - Don't ever use Finder to perform any operations on your Images' Originals.  You should use Aperture and use only Aperture to perform any operation (other than back-up) on your Images' Originals.
    - Speaking of backing up: you must backup Referenced Originals yourself.  Neither Aperture's Vault feature, nor backing up your Library, backs up Referenced Originals.
    Unless you have specific reasons for doing otherwise, I recommend sticking to "one Project for each shoot", and, if referencing your Images' Originals, filing them under a top-level Finder folder by Project, with one Finder folder for each Project.

  • Can you use iPhoto as your referenced library in Aperture 3?

    Hi folks, new to the forum here and I've searched around older posts for an answer to this dumb question but can't seem to find it. Any insight much appreciated.
    I'm a relatively new mac user, migrated over just under 5,000 photos from Photoshop Elements on the PC to iPhoto on my new iMac and very happy with it. I was going to get the new PSE for Mac to use as my editor with iPhoto, but now that Aperture 3 is such a ridiculously good price on the App store I've been testing that out and I love it!
    So the question is, as I start to get more serious about my photography I would love to be able to use Aperture for everything - but the rest of the family just want the simplicity and great interface of iPhoto for the family shots. Can I / we keep importing, storing photos in the iPhoto library, and everyone else just uses that for the cropping, red-eye removal etc., but I can access the library in Aperture (sort of like a referenced library) make changes, add versions etc. without messing it up?
    Hope that makes sense, and again, apologies for what must be the millionth time this question has been asked.
    James

    In a word, no.
    Aperture and iPhoto are entirely different applications that work in very different ways.
    The only communication between the two is as follows:
    Aperture is able to parse the iPhoto Library to allow it to import the contents while stacking the Originals and Modified versions, preserving metadata and so forth.
    Aperture can share its Previews with the iLife apps, including iPhoto.
    That's it.
    So, specifically, what interaction there is between the two is designed to facilitate migration from iPhoto to the more powerful app. After that, iPhoto has exactly the same relationship to the Aperture Library as, say, Pages or iMovie.
    Regards
    TD

  • Is the folder 'Master' in Referenced Library useful? Can I delete it?

    Hi,
    I've switched from a managed to a referenced library.
    I stress that after double checking ALL my photos are now stored outside of the library.
    When I show the content of the apertue library package I can see the Master folder still contain 25GB+ of photos.
    What are thses files?
    Can I delete them?
    Thx!

    Over time you'll end up with more content in the Master folder. For example, if you edit an image in an external editor, Aperture automatically creates a new original (master). These automatically created originals are always managed. You will need to relocate them after the fact to make them referenced.

  • Original in iPhoto library or referenced?

    When I created a new library yesterday I inadvertently set iPhoto to import from my folders (referenced library) Later I switched the option (I thought I was working on another library). Now I have to figure out which photos are referenced, since I want to delete them and bring them in again into the iPhoto library. How do I know whether the original is in the iPhoto library or referenced?

    Well, I could do that. But the reason I am doing this exercise is that I am preparing to merge my 3 main libraries, all rebuilt and recovered from a crashed hard drive. I created a couple of test libraries, just to see how iPhoto Library Manager handled the files when I merged them, and that's when I discovered that that some identical photos came in twice, and into different events. I am pretty sure this will happen again when I do the big merger, and if so, I will need to know how to fix it, and creating a new library will not be an option for I will loose all my albums, etc. Since I checked the "do not import duplicates" I am assuming that iPhoto believes that they are different files because they come from different locations, i.e. iPhoto library or referenced library? Or what other reason could there be for the duplicate files not being caught?

  • Photo iCloud: selective backup & referenced library

    Hi All,
    Is there any information if an update of Photo iCloud will have these missing features
    1. selective backup (just cloud copy my favorited/tagged 100GB of 500GB library)
    2. referenced library support (don't force me to move 500GB referenced photos into one library blob)
    Thx!

    Macs cannot back up to icloud.  Only iOS devices.  You need to use Time Machine or something similar and preferably to an external hard drive.  iCloud cannot be used like Dropbox to store miscellaneous files.  Look into Dropbox for that.  (The former MobileMe had a service called iDisk that acted as a remote attached drive, icloud does not offer such a service.)

  • OK to use Aperture to maintain iPhoto Referenced Library

    I have Aperture and iPhoto. We are an OSX and Windows household. But thanks to the Windows 8 debacle, my wife (the diehard Windows user) has abandoned her PC with all regard to photos and videos (viewing, editing, sharing). Now, I use Aperture most of the time, but my wife uses iPhoto 100% of the time. I manage all the imports with Aperture. (I currently have one referenced library that I use in Aperture of all files and a second default iPhoto Library that is managed but only has post-2010 files in it. Both created in their respective programs, if that matters.)
    Coincidentally, we are also at a point where we need to quit adding photos/videos to the PC or we'll exceed its backup capacity.
    Now that she is using the iMac, I would like to get the Library organized and minimize my workflow and eliminate duplication. I do not have enough contiguous disk space for single managed aperture library. I have avoided proceeding because iPhoto and referenced files are not recommended by most of the experts here, for well founded reasons. However, now that both apps can use the same library, and Aperture handles referenced libraries so much better... why not go referenced now? I can leave the pre-2010 files on the PC, and keep all the post-2010 imports on the iMac, all in one Library. The fact that nobody is getting into the files on the PC virtually eliminates all the problems I've had in the past.
    Is there something I'm missing?
    Thanks for any thoughts on this, or hidden gotchas.

    No assuming that you have the latest version of both iPhoto and Aperture so there is total interoperability between them
    LN

  • How can I change my partially referenced library to entirely managed?

    Hello,
    When I first got my MacBook four years ago, I started a referenced iPhoto library of about 4,500 photos, but over the following years I added my photos directly to iPhoto, meaning 75% of the library is referenced and 25% is managed.
    How can I modify my library so that it is 100% managed? I would just open up iPhoto with ⌘+⌥ held down and choose rebuild library but I don't know if that will delete any or all of my library.
    Thanks in advance!

    There really is no way to do this with iPhoto.
    Your options are:
    1. Hack the SQL database
    2. Use Aperture's Consolidate Masters command
    3. Rebuild the Library with iPhoto Library Manager: (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
    This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.

  • Managed vs. referenced library??

    I am test driving aperture and have been using Photoshop- Bridge to organize my photos. That is to say I keep them organized in folders which I create for each project. Each folder has a name that means something to me and is dated. I rarely cannot find a specific photo shoot. If I let Aperture organize the library will I have trouble finding the origional Master image. That is what I never liked with iPhoto. Would you recommend continuing to use my files which are on an external drive, as a referenced library, or should I just have Aperture create a Managed library out of my files?? Thanks.

    This particular topic is driving me crazy because you all seem to take the opposite sides on this subject.
    Here is my current setup and workflow. Can I get suggestions of the best ways to use aperture within these parameters
    I have an imac dual core intel about 3 years old (imac7,1). It has six gb of ram and I just installed a new 2 TB internal drive. It currently has about 330 gb used.
    I have attached to it the following drives: a 1 TB usb drive for time machine, a 2nd 1 TB USB drive which is a scratch disk for stuff I don't back up, and a 500 GB FireWire 800/400, usb which is partitioned in two. One partition is where I store a cloned back up via superduper and the other is where I have stored some test master photo files while I figure out the best way to use aperture.
    I also use backblaze to back up the internal drive to the cloud. I am currently backing up about 250 GB.
    I have around 20k photos on the internal drive inside iPhoto 11. I haven't touched those yet.
    My photo workflow for new shots is to download the pictures to the external firewire drive then import the jpeg (I usually shoot in raw + jpeg) to aperture as a referenced import then cull the bad shots and then import the masters as referenced also. I also import the jpeg files to iphoto (so they are backed up).
    I am going to have backup issues due the new 2 tb drive with the super duper clone (only have 500 gb available to the firewire drive. I could do the back up to the 1 tb usb drive instead and use the 500 gb firewire drive as my external drive for movies and photo masters. IF I do that then I’m going to have to backup everything again to backblaze (takes about six weeks to back up 250 gb). If I do that then I am living on the edge because I will only have one backup of my photo masters. That scares me.
    The whole process scares me so much I have touched the iphoto library yet..
    Ideas? Remember to KISS.

  • Managed library size vs images plus referenced library

    I have referenced library 18,1Gb and 109,7Gb image folder (all of them in Aperture). If I like to move to managed library, is it bigger or smaller than 128Gb (18+110) and if it is, is the difference significant? Do anyone know that?

    Today a Managed-Masters Library for you would be about six times as big as your current Library, meaning six times larger Vaults and/or Library copies that take longer to create. And a Managed-Masters Library would keep growing and slowing the drive it lived on.
    If currently your Referenced-Masters Library and the Masters are on the same drive maybe now is a good time to move the Masters to an external drive to maintain the speed of the internal drive with the Library on it. Or if you have lots of space leave Masters where they are until the drive gets about half full.
    -Allen

  • Striped software raid managed or referenced library

    I am setting up a striped software RAID using a couple of internal drives on my MacPro in hopes of getting a little more speed out of Aperture 3. My question is should I keep a managed library on the RAID or should I keep a referenced library on the main startup drive and store masters on the striped RAID. Which would be faster? I am still using Aperture 2 right now and waiting to get an answer before I upgrade to 3. I plan to backup whatever is on the RAID to a Drobo.
    Thanks of the help ya"ll

    I would use referenced Even if you were putting both on the RAID. 2 drives Striped is not going to be a big benefit.
    You will get more of a benefit putting your library on a separate drive than your raw masters and here's why. Raw files fall well into the category of Large block read speed that most current drives handle just fine, once it's read its in RAM so I usually don't recommend putting the RAWs on a striped raid of just 2 drives.
    The real storage bottleneck is when the library is trying to write all of its filesystem previews and database changes to the drive concurrently as its trying to read raw masters at the same time.
    If you understand Hard drive tech, you will know that For one volume to handle Small block random access read/writes and large block sustained reads at the same time is a recipe for a slowdown...
    I'd put the Library on a dedicated SSD and your raws on your bigger internal drives.
    Or... Just try putting the library on one drive and relocating the masters to another drive and see if you notice a difference first. I sure did!

  • Aperture 3 - will Chronosync work with referenced library?

    This is a one-library, two-Macs question.
    The iMac is where I do my main Aperture work. The MacBook also gets Aperture use, sometimes creating new projects (easy enough to merge when back at base), but mostly I think it will be used for generally read-only stuff: slideshows/albums for friends & family; sending in emails; inserting in blog posts etc. (And maybe doing some basic metadata/rating work on previews during downtime.)
    I'm a fairly new Aperture 3 user, and am still getting to grips with my preferred method of managing files (many gigabytes of photos haven't yet been imported from standard folders). Until now I've been slowly building a managed library on the iMac, and using Chronosync to synchronise it with the MacBook. Of course it's quickly becoming too large for the laptop (not to mention a cumbersome process), and there's really no need for anything but screen-sized previews on the MacBook.
    What I think I'd like to do is keep a fully referenced library on the iMac to a large external hard drive, generating previews for all images, and synchronising this referenced library between iMac and MacBook. I'm hoping that all I end up synchronising is the previews + metadata (I'll use the 'Dissect Packages' option) and what I'll end up with is a Library-lite preview version on the laptop that is, to all intents & purposes, a duplicate of the full-on referenced iMac library.
    Does anyone else use this setup? It seems logical to me, but I don't know if there are practical limitations. It's maybe worth mentioning I'm a long time Chronosync user, and am quite used to the discipline of only opening certain apps (e.g. Mail) on one computer or the other before doing a sync, so I'm au fait with the paradox of one-way bi-directional syncs!
    Any advice gratefully received.
    G

    I think you may find a better answer than chronosync is to change your iMac library to all referenced, then copy the library to the MacBook. You can use the merge feature in aperture 3 to keep it all current:
    http://aperture.maccreate.com/2010/02/09/the-importance-of-libraries-aperture-3s -new-syncing/
    As long as your library has previews in it, you will have all the images in your library available to see on the MacBook, and you'll even be able to do some jobs like rating and tagging on the laptop.

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